RAMPANT RANGERS HELD BY A MAKE SHIFT CAFE

A dry pitch and warm evening, this was set up to be an interesting encounter between current champions Rangers and last seasons third place finishers, Cafe No 8.

Cafe have only beaten Rangers once in 19 times of asking and lost 7-0 on aggregate over the two fixtures last season.

The lineup for Cafe was:

Kyle (GK)

Glenn

Dave

Craig (RINGER)

Paul (RINGER)

Paul O

Rangers confirmed that Harry had indeed hung up his Monday night boots which gave us hope, however they still had a strong side which included; Dan Clubley, A Hobbo Twin and Wardy.

Rangers started as we expected pinning us in and peppered us with shots which we mainly from distance and delt with very well. Some well timed blocks the odd tactical foul, and some inspiring saves in nets.

The game continued in the same fashion for most of the first half until 9 minutes in, a break down the right for cafe saw a Dave have the ball high up the pitch, an pass inside to Glenn who laid off the ball to Paul who made no mistake, smashing it passed the keeper. A great finish and quality team goal.

Rangers then upped the effort a little more, 5 men behind the ball and despite none of us really knowing each others names, we communicated well and kept them at bay, another 3 or 4 good solid saves and blocks and we managed to make it to half time and frustrated Rangers.

Half time: Rangers 0 v 1 Cafe No 8

Second half started similar to the first, a couple of chances did fall to us but we squandered them and rushed the opportunity to take a 2 goal advantage. But we rallied and got men behind the ball when out of possession and frustrated the opposition.

Dan C was pivotal to their attacks and any inch he was given he shot on site, striking the post from one rasping shot which rebounded onto the back of my head and to safety, another which struck the outside of the post which I was rooted to the spot and had no chance of saving.

Eventually Rangers broke us and a misplaced pass from Craig unfortunately lead to an opening which Dan dispatched with pure quality. A well struck shot flew in to the top corner agonisingly close to my finger tips. 1 - 1. Time to dig in.

With only 3 or 4 minutes to go the shots were coming in from all angles. A one on one for Hobbo saw him try to dink the ball over my shoulder but I stood up strong. A clumsy yet dazzling run from Wardy saw him break through the lines but Paul (ringer) came from nowhere to take ball and man with a goal saving tackle.

Nervy till the end but the final whistle went, honours even. A fantastic result against Rangers who may feel like they deserved all 3 points but resolute defending and a great finish from Paul O saw us off to a great start consider our history against them.

Final Score - Rangers 1 v 1 Cafe No 8

Goals - Paul O